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Missouri bill overturns St. Louis minimum wage increase

The Missouri legislature passed HB 1194, a bill that overturns the St. Louis minimum wage increase of $10 effective May 5, 2017, and $11 effective January 1, 2018. The law also blocks Kansas City from increasing its minimum wage. The governor is expected to sign off on the measure.

According to the bill language, the bill preempts and nullifies all political subdivision ordinances, rules, and regulations currently in effect or later enacted relating to the establishment or enforcement of a minimum or living wage or the provision of employment benefits (i.e., paid sick leave) that exceed state laws, rules, or regulations.

An emergency clause in the bill that would have made the law effective immediately was defeated prior to passage. As a result, the bill would be effective August 28, 2017, if enacted.